‘I was so glad to see my self in a Condition to deliver Mendez, that I reckon’d all the Dangers we underwent as nothing: But alas, what became of me in disembarking, when after all the search which could be made, I perceiv’d there was no hope of finding the little Cabinet wherein I had put all I had was most precious: I found my self seiz’d with such violent Grief, that I thought I should have expired before I got out of the Vessel. Without doubt this Cabinet, which was little, and of which I took but small Care during the Tempest, fell into the Sea, or was stole, which ever of these two it was, I made a considerable Loss, and I had only remaining Jewels to the value of a thousand Pounds, which I had kept for all Events about me.
‘I resolv’d with this, to make a Tryal with Mendez’s Patron: As soon as we were in the Town, we enquired out his House, (for Meluza was well known) and went thither clad as Gentlemen.
‘I cannot express to you, Madam, the trouble I was in drawing near this House, where I knew my dear Lover languisht in Chains; what sad Reflections did I not make; how did I look when I enter’d the Corsary’s House, and saw Mendez Chain’d, with several others, who were leading out to work in the Field. I should have fallen at his Feet, had not Henrietta born me up: I no longer knew where I was, nor what I did; I would have spoken to him, but Grief had so seiz’d on my Spirits, that my Tongue could not utter a Word. As to him, he beheld me not; he was so sad and deprest, that he could look on no body; and one must love him as much as I did, to know him, so greatly was he changed.
‘After having been some time coming to my self, I went into a low Room, where I was told Meluza was; I saluted him, and told him the occasion of my Voyage; that Mendez was my near Relation; that he was undone by the Loss of a Galion, and his Captivity together; and that ’twas out of my own Money I would pay his Ransom. The Moor appear’d to me little concern’d at what I said; and looking scornfully on me, he answer’d, It was not his business to enquire whence I had my Money; but this he certainly knew, that Mendez was Rich; and to shew that he would not take all Advantages, he would therefore set him at twenty thousand Crowns.
‘Alas, what would this have been, had I not lost my Jewels? but this was too much in the Condition I was in. In fine, after several long fruitless Disputes, I took on me immediately a resolution which could only be inspired by an extream Love.
‘“Here’s all I have,” said I to the Pyrate, in giving him my Diamonds, “they are not worth what thou demandest: take me for thy Slave, and be perswaded thou wilt not keep me long. I am the only Daughter of a Rich Banker of Seville; keep me for an Hostage, and let Mendez go; he will soon return to Redeem me.” The Barbarian was surpriz’d to find me capable of so generous and affectionate a Resolution. “Thou art worthy,” said he to me, “of a better Fortune. Be it so; I accept the Condition you offer me: I will take care of thee, and be a good Patron to thee. Thou must leave the Habit thou wearest, to put on one agreeable to thy Sex: thou shalt keep thy Jewels if thou wilt, I can as well stay for the whole as for a part.”
‘Donna Henrietta was so confused and dismayed at the Bargain I came from concluding, that she could not sufficiently express her Displeasure to me; but in fine, maugre all her Remonstrances and Entreaties, I held firm, and Meluza caus’d a Slave’s Habit to be brought me, which I put on.
‘He conducted me to his Wives Chamber, to whom he deliver’d me, having recounted to her what I had done for my Lover’s Liberty.
‘She seem’d to be much affected by it, and promis’d she would shorten the time of my Servitude by all the good Treatments she could make me.
‘At Night, when Mendez return’d, Meluza caus’d him to be call’d, telling him, That being of Seville, he would therefore shew him a Slave he had bought, because perhaps he might know her.